bkluvsNola

Hello,

My ex is taking my son to South Padre for vacation from May 28th until the June 1st so I have some unexpected free time and plan to take a vacation with my new girlfriend.

Seeing as how it's starting to heat up here in Austin (mid 90's), I was thinking maybe someplace cool. I want to drive, so I was thinking perhaps the mountains of New Mexico (Santa Fe) or Carlsbad Caverns (cool).

How far are these locations from Austin? Is this even doable?

I think both of these would appeal to my new girlfriend. I've never been to New Mexico before so any ideas would be welcomed. She's a "shade" kind of girl (read: fair skin), which differs from my ex who was a sun worshipper (gotta love the variety out there . So, I'm thinking the cave/cool weather stuff might appeal to her.

The focus of this trip would be romance and good scenery. We'd probably want to stay at a cozy B&B or non chain hotel. We are both foodies so keep that in mind for restaurants.

DebitNM

I can help; I can help!!

Santa Fe should be wonderful at that time. The weather here has been excellent.

I have some info on vrbo rentals, casitas near the plaza. I have to look for it; search here isn't turning it up.

Would you be willing/wanting to try Priceline?

From a recent post I did on another thread here:

Santa Fe is wonderful. Ten Thousand Waves spa, lots of museums on Museum Hill, Canyon Road for browsing the galleries, great food. Shidoni Brass Foundry, Saturday Flea Market, Santa Fe Opera, some beautiful hikes, casinos if that's your thing too. Lots of possibilities.

http://www.santafeopera.org

http://www.tenthousandwaves.com/

http://www.shidoni.com

http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui.../overview.html

I would suggest trying mapquest for route and time; I don't know too much about getting here from Austin. I know how to get here from El Paso, but that isn't too helpful is it?

Deb

DebitNM

Ok, the casitas are here:

http://www.vrbo.com/my/57368

Deb

bkluvsNola

Thanks DebitNM, keep the info coming.

MichelleY

How long have you been an item?? Sometimes vacationing together can be the kiss of death for a relationship - especially if jet lag is involved So, you will probably be OK.

Sorry I can't help with New Mexico. Have a great time.

MY

bkluvsNola

We've been serious around one month, were dating around 2 months prior at a more casual level. I understand about the kiss of death thing with travel. With my first wife, our first travel together after two months caused a big argument and we almost broke up. We were married 10 years after that though, so you never know.

I guess I'd rather know now rather than later if we are compatible long term. Traveling is a big part of my life and we need to be able to do that together.

emalloy

Both your choices in New Mexico are fine. Santa Fe is a bit more "romantic" than Carlsbad, but Carlsbad is interesting geologically and the bats should be swarming in the evening, which is interesting to watch. There is also a National Forrest in the mountains southwest of there which would provide some nice hiking opportunities if that interests you. Not too far from Santa Fe is Bandelier NM which has neat ancient Native American sites, carved into the rock of the mountainside, good hiking opportunities there too if that interests you, but SF also has great museums and a very interesting old town area.

emalloy

BTW if you are thinking about driving, Carlsbad is about half the distance to Santa Fe, it would be two days drive to SF. The National Forrest/Monument near Carlsbad is actually in Texas and is Guadalupe (wrong spelling)

SAnParis2

I also favor that area but tend to like Taos a bit more than Santa Fe, not quite so touristy either.

wtm003

I'm not a big Santa Fe fan but I believe it has the atmosphere that you are looking for. As Debit pointed out you will have a wide choice of hotels, museums, outdoor activities and restaurants.

I'm sure I'll offend someone, but when I was in Carlsbad two years ago the town did not appear to offer much beside the standard chain motels and restaurants. There is nothing wrong with Carlsbad and I was fine with the Days Inn I stayed at with my family but obviously that is not what you have in mind for a romantic getaway. On the other hand, I thought the caverns were amazing and definitely worth the trip. The bat flight in the evening was incredibly beautiful and peaceful - I'd even say romantic.

DebitNM

I agree about Carlsbad - it is not where I would want to go for my first "romantic" trip together. As a day trip sometime, sure, but not as a destination.

Taos is really nice too, but it really is limited as far as thing to do that aren't outdoors and it will add almost 2 hours to the drive [beyond Santa Fe].

Deb

bkluvsNola

I only have a four day weekend so I'm thinking that Sante Fe is out then if it's a 2 day drive from Austin?

I don't mind the drive from Austin to New Mexico as I have never been in that part of Texas and want to see the landscape, no matter how desolate it can get. We will be able to get to know each other better on the long drive.

mapblast takes me west on 71 from Austin out to 190 west to I-10 then up 285 to Carlsbad. Would it not be faster to take 290 to I-10 and take that to be on interstate for a majority of the way? mapblast says it takes around 7 hours, is that about right?

I assume the town of Carlsbad, NM, has the only accommodations for the area?

SAnParis2

Taken her to NOLA yet ??

bkluvsNola

SAnParis2,

Not yet. When I take her there, then you know we're getting very serious If she doesn't like NOLA, that's a deal breaker.

I figure I might take her to NOLA this Fall or next Spring. I want her to see it at its finest.

I am making her some Shrimp Creole tonight though!

bkluvsNola

Ok, I need help here. I priced out flights to Albuquerque and a car rental, along with hotels in Sante Fe and compared to driving to Carlsbad.

It will be around $800 cheaper to drive to Carlsbad, but it appears the weather will be better in Sante Fe and the hotels and restaurants are far better in Sante Fe. However, I really would like to see Carlsbad Caverns.

Please help me weigh the pros and cons. Is it worth an extra $800 to see Sante Fe? Would I be better off saving Sante Fe for a ski trip in the winter?

What kind of hiking is nearby to Carlsbad Caverns? What about Sante Fe? Are there any decent restaurants near Carlsbad or are the caverns the only thing to see.

Please help, I'm not sure what to do, there's so many options!

SAnParis2

I would check around for flights, I can usually get to ABQ from CLT for around $200 r/t. The trip from ABQ to SAnta Fe is a great Drive as well. I don't think there is a lot to do around Carlsbad.

DebitNM

In my not so humble opinion, you asked for romantic. Carlsbad cannot be construed, in any way, shape or form as romantic. It is what it is, and there won't be charming B&B's, excellent restaurants, any other "indoor" activities.

You always remember your first trip with a new love and to me, that screams Santa Fe.

Are you looking for flights on Southwest? Have you considered Priceline for a room and/or a car using name your own price; or one of those casitas I have listed above?

There are some excellent places to eat in Santa Fe that won't break the bank [see my trip report from Dec 08].

There is just so much more to see and do in Santa Fe, there isn't a comparison. A cave with bats [which is neat, but won't hold a candle to Santa Fe] or the charm, fun, and romance of Santa Fe?? Santa Fe has museums, galleries, spas, restaurants, music, hiking, beautiful mountains, that you aren't going to find in Carlsbad.

Save skiing for another trip, that is a great trip, but there are better places close by for that like Taos, or Durango. Or even back to Santa Fe, which is magically in winter with crystal blue skies, abundant sunshine, the smell of pinon wood drifting through the sunset skies.

Deb

volcanogirl

bk, congrats on your new girlfriend!

bkluvsNola

DebitNM,

Thanks for the feedback. After mulling over it the whole day, I've made my final decision. She told me she'd be fine with either location and would support my decision - gotta love that

My final decision is below, but these are the factors I considered:

1. I understand that Sante Fe is probably more romantic, but I'm worried we won't really have enough time to see a whole lot for four days. Two of those days would be traveling, so that doesn't leave a lot.

2. We probably don't need a whole lot of activities to keep us busy because we will probably be sleeping in if things go as planned .

3. We talked about it and we both haven't seen Carlsbad Caverns, and to me, it's something you need to see at least once in your life, like the Grand Canyon or Yosemite, so we've opted for Carlsbad.

4. It's $800 cheaper to go to Carlsbad and after a divorce that cleaned me out and the unstable economy, I need to be cautious about money.

So, the decision will be to go to Carlsbad Caverns. DONE.

Now, I need to plan the trip to Carlsbad. We'll be driving so that part is easy! Just need some hotel and restaurant recommendations.

bkluvsNola

volcanogirl,

Thanks